Growth hormone (GH) has which metabolic effects?

• A. Inhibit cellular uptake and glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; lipolysis
• B. Stimulate cellular uptake and glycolysis; glycolysis; lipogenesis
• C. Inhibits gluconeogenesis and lipolysis
• D. Decreases protein synthesis

Answer: (A)

Growth hormone drives energy mobilization and tends to oppose insulin in many tissues. It reduces glucose uptake and utilization in insulin-responsive tissues, so glycolysis here is decreased. At the same time, it increases hepatic glucose production via gluconeogenesis and promotes lipolysis in adipose tissue, releasing fatty acids for fuel. This combination explains why the metabolic effects described include inhibiting cellular uptake and glycolysis while enhancing gluconeogenesis and lipolysis. By contrast, actions predicting increased glucose uptake or glycolysis, or decreased protein synthesis, do not align with how growth hormone actually acts.